The aforementioned data prompted us to analyze BAX mRNA expression in 88 malignant and 9 hyperplastic nasopharyngeal biopsies using a highly sensitive quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) method that has previously been developed by members of our group, and to evaluate its potential prognostic significance and clinical application as a novel molecular tissue biomarker in NPC. This evidence concerns the gene BAX and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.